Swanky crook's champagne trail

THIS is the brazen robber who styled himself on comic star Ali G - partying hard with cash snatched from terrorised security guards.

THIS is the brazen robber who styled himself on comic star Ali G - partying hard with cash snatched from terrorised security guards.

Alan Ali and his gang of thugs stole tens of thousands of pounds after attacking cash delivery trucks making drops around the city.

But Ali (22) and his crew blew it on an 'easy come, easy go' lifestyle of drink, drugs, designer clothes, fast cars and women.

Today Ali and two of his gang, Adam Scullion (20) and Kyle Byrne (18) are facing a long stretch behind bars after pleading guilty to a four-month crime spree which also involved a number of car-jackings.

They were caught by detectives after leaving behind a trail of clues, including using the dyed cash they stole to pay for a swanky hotel room, bottles of Moet & Chandon and second hand cars.

Ali was finally nabbed by police as he was about to board a jet to the holiday island of Tenerife where he intended to lie low for a few weeks.

Swaggering towards the aircraft dressed in a white shell-suit, white T-shirt and baseball cap, and with gold chains draped around his neck, he spotted detectives waiting at the door and uttered: "They got me." Det Sgt Paul Sanders, who led the investigators, said: "His face was a treat - he thought he had got away with it."

"Ali had never had a job and didn't claim benefits, yet he had an expensive lifestyle.

"He modelled himself on Ali G and was known to his friends by that name. He was very cocky when we dealt with him." Ali, of Kelynmead Road, and Scullion, also known as Adam Caldicott, of Avocet Close, both Stechford, had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery.

Byrne, of Billingsley Road, Sheldon, pleaded guilty to the same offence at Birmingham Crown Court yesterday.

None of the money has ever been recovered. A number of other gang members have never been identified.